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Helping your baby into the best position for birth

This article offers tips on how to get your baby into the best birth position. Which positions help and which should be avoided when trying to turn your baby in the womb?

Some people believe there are things you can do to get your baby to turn over in the womb to ensure that they are in the best position for birth. The evidence on whether this works is mainly anecdotal, but here are some suggestions if you want to give it a try.

Positions you can try:

Sit the wrong way round on an upright chair and lean over the back.

Sit on an upright chair, with your feet flat on the floor, and lean forward so that your belly hangs between your knees.

Sit on a birthing ball.

If you sit a lot at work, take regular breaks to stand up and move around. If necessary, sit on a couple of cushions to keep your hips raised up above your knees.

Kneel forward over a pile of pillows, a beanbag, or a birthing ball, with your knees apart and your bottom down. You can read or watch TV in this position.

Get onto all-fours and move around.

Put a cushion under your bottom if you’re travelling by car.

Lie on your left side, with your right leg over and in front of your left leg (with a cushion or pillow between your knees).

Swim or float on your front (avoid breast-stroke leg actions if you have any pelvic pain).

Positions to avoid:

Sitting leaning back on a squashy sofa or chair.

Sitting with your legs crossed.

Squatting deeply.

Spend as much time as you can in positions in which you can lean forward and where your knees are below your hips, particularly from 34 weeks onward if it’s your first baby, or 37 weeks if it isn’t.

Further information

NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700. We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about pregnancy, labour and life with a new baby.